Development and Standardization of Polyherbal Ointment for the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcer is one of the most serious complications of diabetes mellitus and is associated with delayed wound healing, microbial infection, impaired blood circulation, and prolonged hyperglycemia. The present study was undertaken to formulate and evaluate a polyherbal ointment for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers using selected medicinal plants with antidiabetic, wound-healing, antimicrobial, and circulation-enhancing properties. The formulation consisted of extracts of Gymnema sylvestre, Allium sativum, Capsicum annum, and Rosmarinus officinalis oil. The plants were collected, authenticated, and subjected to pharmacognostical, physicochemical, phytochemical, TLC, and HPTLC analyses for standardization and characterization. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of important bioactive constituents including alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, steroids, carbohydrates, and oils. Two polyherbal ointment formulations were prepared and evaluated for physicochemical parameters such as pH, viscosity, spreadability, globule diameter, weight uniformity, skin irritation, and stability, and were found to possess satisfactory characteristics suitable for topical application. The healing potential of the formulations was assessed in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats using the excision wound model. The treatment was continued for 14 days, and parameters such as blood glucose levels, body weight, wound contraction, and histopathological changes were evaluated. The polyherbal ointments produced significant wound contraction, reduced blood glucose levels, and enhanced tissue regeneration compared with the diabetic control group. Histopathological studies demonstrated improved epithelialization, fibroblast proliferation, macrophage infiltration, granulation tissue formation, and scar maturation in treated animals. The findings suggest that the synergistic action of the selected medicinal plants promotes diabetic wound healing through antihyperglycemic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and tissue regenerative mechanisms. The study provides scientific evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of polyherbal ointments as a safe and effective alternative for the management of diabetic foot ulcers.